Subtitling for stereoscopic images

Abstract

A method, apparatus and system of the present invention enable the location of subtitles for a stereoscopic image and a selection of the disparity of stereo subtitles to ensure proper display of the subtitles within frames of the stereoscopic content. In one embodiment, the functionality of the concepts of the present invention is based on a player capable of displaying stereo content by reading two streams (one for the left view, one for the right view) and mixing the streams in real time using a mode supported on a 3D display (i.e. line interleaved, checkerboard pattern) based on received file information and inserting the subtitle in the frames by rendering the values in the received file information.

1 . A method for positioning of subtitles in three-dimensional content, comprising:
 receiving at least one left-eye view frame of said three-dimensional content in which a subtitle is to be inserted;   receiving at least one right-eye view frame of said three-dimensional content in which a subtitle is to be inserted;   receiving file information identifying a subtitle to be inserted into said frames and at least a respective position in the frames for inserting the subtitle; and   providing a means for inserting the subtitle in said frames by rendering the values in said received file information and for real-time manipulation of the position of said subtitle in said frames by altering values in said received file information.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said method further comprises mixing said subtitled at least one left-eye view frame with said subtitled at least one right-eye view frame. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said frames are mixed using at least one of a line interleaved and checkerboard pattern. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said method further comprises rendering said subtitled, three-dimensional content. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said file information comprises metadata communicated with at least one of the at least one left-eye view frame and at least one right-eye view frame of said three-dimensional content. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said file information is stored in a storage means accessible to said means for inserting. 
     
     
         7 . A subtitling device for positioning of subtitles in three-dimensional content, comprising:
 a memory for storing program routines and data files; and   a processor for executing said program routines, said processor, when executing said program routines, configured to perform the steps of:
 inserting a subtitle in at least one left-eye view frame and at least one corresponding right-eye view frame of said three-dimensional content by rendering values in a file containing information identifying a subtitle to be inserted into said frames and at least a respective position in said frames for inserting the subtitle; and 
 performing real-time manipulation of the position of the subtitle in said frames by altering values in the file. 
   
     
     
         8 . The subtitling device of  claim 7 , wherein said file is stored in the memory of said subtitling device. 
     
     
         9 . The subtitling device of  claim 7 , wherein said file is received as metadata communicated with said three-dimensional content. 
     
     
         10 . The subtitling device of  claim 7 , wherein said subtitling device comprises a graphical user interface for enabling the inserting of the subtitle and real-time manipulation of the position of the subtitle in the frames of said three-dimensional content. 
     
     
         11 . The subtitling device of  claim 7 , further comprising a user interface for enabling a user to alter values in said received file. 
     
     
         12 . A system for positioning of subtitles in three-dimensional content, comprising:
 a source of at least one left-eye view frame of said three-dimensional content in which a subtitle is to be inserted;   a source of at least one right-eye view frame of said three-dimensional content in which a subtitle is to be inserted; and a subtitling device for:
 receiving at least one left-eye view frame of said three-dimensional content in which a subtitle is to be inserted; 
 receiving at least one right-eye view frame of said three-dimensional content in which a subtitle is to be inserted; 
 receiving a file containing information identifying a subtitle to be inserted into said frames and at least a respective position in the frames for inserting the subtitle; and 
 inserting the subtitle in said frames by rendering the values in said received file and for real-time manipulation of the position of said subtitle in said frames by altering values in said received file. 
   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a mixer for mixing a subtitled at least one left-eye view frame with a corresponding subtitled at least one right-eye view frame. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a rendering device for rendering said subtitled, three-dimensional content. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a user interface for enabling a user to alter values in said received file.